Govardhan Puja in Auspicious Muhurat, Get Blessings

Read about Govardhan puja and religious rituals. Festival of Govardhan Puja will be observed with merriment nationwide tomorrow, read about its religious significance.

After Diwali, Govardhan Puja is celebrated with great enthusiasm. This festival, celebrated on the Pratipada of Kartik Shukla Paksha, is dedicated to agricultural work and raising livestock. That is why this festival is celebrated with highest levels of excitement in rural areas. According to mythological beliefs, in the Dwapar era, Lord Krishna highlighted the importance of worshiping Govardhan hill, doing agricultural work and raising animals or livestock. On this day, cows, bulls and other agricultural animals are worshiped. The festival of Govardhan Puja also remarks the special significance of cow in our culture. It is celebrated with great delight all over India but in Uttar Pradesh, especially in Mathura, Vrindavan and Gokul, this festival is celebrated with high zeal.

Govardhan Puja

As per Vedas, worshipping gods such as Lord Varuna, Lord Indra, Lord Agni is considered of highest importance. Our life depends on numerous elements of nature, which are animals, crops, rain etc, and we must respect and thank God for creating such a beautiful ecosystem. Through Govardhan Pooja, we express our gratitude for all natural resources.

On this day, a figure of Govardhan hill is made from cow dung in the courtyard of the house. In the Braj region (Mathura, Vrindavan, Barsana etc.), small figures of cow-calves, shepherds and gopis along with Govardhan hill are also created.

The figure of Govardhan hill made from cow dung is decorated with gulal, colors, peacock feathers, flowers and leaves.

After sunset, the figure of Govardhan hill should be worshipped with sacred thread or roli, flowers, incense sticks etc. Milk, curd and dishes much be offered as well.

After doing Pooja and offering Naivedyam, walk or circumambulate around the Govardhan hill.

Circumambulation of Govardhan

On the occasion of this festival, circumambulating around Govardhan Hill is considered of great significance. This is the reason that on this day every year, lakhs of pilgrims travel to the sacred place Govardhan, a pilgrimage site located in Mathura district of Uttar Pradesh. Govardhan Parikrama stretches to a total of 21 kms, and every person, according to their reverence, performs this activity. One can walk all the way to the end or use a vehicle. After completing the Parikrama, devotees worship at the Giriraj temple situated on the Govardhan mountain.

Festival of Annakoot

Annakoot festival is observed before 12 o'clock on the day of Govardhan Puja. Annakoot means 'a heap of grain'. The food made from Kharif crops is offered to Lord Krishna, and then the Kharif harvest is put to use.

Mythological Story Behind Govardhan Puja

According to mythological beliefs, Devraj Indra once became proud of his powers and due to this, Lord Krishna decided to destroy his arrogance. According to the legend described in Vishnu Purana, Gokul natives used to happily worship Indra Dev in hopes of flourishing rain and green harvest. But once Krishna said that people should worship the Govardhan mountain for good rain and cattle fodder. By agreeing to Krishna’s point, Gokul natives started worshiping the Govardhan Hill.

Hearing this, Devraj Indra got angry and ordered for heavy rainfall as a revenge for this insult. In order to protect Gokul, Lord Krishna lifted the Govardhan mountain on his little finger. When Lord Indra came to know that Lord Shri Krishna himself is protecting the natives of Gokul, he apologized and offered his prayers. Since then, Govardhan Puja began.